Well, it certainly has been awhile hasn't it? Since I'm back now I plan to really wrap up this story and my other one because I have several new stories I've began to write that I really want to upload as soon as possible. Some of them even have a chapter or two done already, I just haven't uploaded them yet due to the amount of stress it would give me.

Also I will mention in advance that it has been a while, I did look over this story just to make sure I don't miss anything but please let me know if I do because it's been such a long time since I've written anything for this story (and even longer for my other story...) and I may miss some important details missed in previous chapters.

So, without any further delay than there already is, here's the next chapter that is hopefully been worth waiting for. :)

Cars (C) Disney Pixar

Chapter 7 – Blinding Eyes

By the time they knew it, the whole country knew they were now engaged, it was almost like a royal wedding to some others, but to many, it was just a simple news story that was said and then moved on with. However, that didn't stop the Racing Sports Network to talk about both Lightning's condition and his new engagement as well as the possibility of Lightning retiring to settle down with Sally and maybe even start a family.

Lightning had heard of new rookies joining in next season, possibly being the next generation of racing, it was no surprise to him that the press was considering that Lightning McQueen would be retiring soon. He had been in the racing career for more than a decade, and he had already seen a few of his close friends in his racing career that had already retired, yet they were rather a few years younger than he was. It caused him to worry greatly.

However, Lightning didn't feel the need to worry at the present time, he and Sally had much planning to do, although one thing had been decided already that they get married at sunset at the Wheel Well Motel. Sally had dreamed of it happening for a very long time, it felt so perfect. It was where they first truly bonded and began to understand each other, and it was where they spent a lot of their time together.

It had only been a day and the whole town was congratulating them, whether they were driving together or one was driving along a fellow car would greet them with a smile and congratulate them on their engagement. They both loved that everyone was happy for them, Lightning was happy to have more cars to talk to so his pain from the crash would remain hidden. All this happiness prevented him from feeling almost any pain.

Until he and Sally went to sleep that night was when he felt a ringing sensation with his hearing, almost like he was going deaf, but it went away before Lightning could even tell Sally about it. He didn't want her to worry about him at a time like this. Right now was a time of happiness and joy; he didn't want his pain getting in the way of it. He went to sleep that night with his back axels straining, but he managed to hold the pain in as he slept peacefully by Sally's side.

That night he dreamt he was at the final race of the season in Florida, it was strangely dark, only Lightning could see where he was going on the track, he could hear many of the other racers panicking, and the crowd was strangely quiet and dark as well. Lightning's logical sense didn't kick in until he saw Doc crash right in front of him. His brakes screeched their loudest as he lost a layer of rubber from his tyres, he looked in shock, his eyes wide, to see his mentor in the same weakened state he was in that newspaper.

He remembers watching that race very well; after all, he had rummaged through Doc's old things and was able to find the exact race where Doc's life had been changed forever. The scene in front of him mimicked that same moment he saw on the tape. Red and blue lights flashed throughout the racetrack before approaching Doc.

"We only hope that this race today, wasn't his last." A voice echoed.

In that moment, Lightning woke up in trembling fear, Sally still fast asleep but was slightly jolted by Lightning's sudden movement. She simply groaned and shifted slightly, her eyes remaining closed as she continued to sleep. It was just after four in the morning. Lightning decided to take a drive outside to clear his thoughts, that dream was nothing like he had seen before. It was true he feared of his retirement so soon, he was not done with racing just yet, and as much as he loved spending every precious moment with, his now fiancée Sally, he knew that they would always have busy times.

He didn't want to give all that up and just stay around town doing practically nothing all day, looking around the dim lit quiet town, he thought about everyone that had been living her for more than fifty years and were still working their jobs. Their condition never stopped them from working their everyday careers.

However, Lightning had also thought of another thing, the jobs that his local friends had were very much different to his. Crashes were extremely common in racing, it only seemed that recently more and more older cars were being forced to retire due to a sudden crash and the fact that certain parts that needed replacing for older cars were becoming much more difficult to come by.

That didn't stop him to think about everyone around town though, surely they would have a breakdown at some point. No one was perfect after all. Maybe it was just that the town was so old they had a lot of stock of old car parts or that they all rarely broke down and never really needed to replace any old parts. When he thought about it more, it was very surprising to see that the many recently retired racecars of today couldn't find suitable replacement parts to ensure that they could continue racing. These recently retired race cars were all around the same age as Lightning himself, how could they not stock suitable parts for cars that were only a few decades old compared with much older cars that try to make them last for as long as possible.

He didn't want to think too deep into this now, he knew he still needed his rest. As he drove back he felt more pain along his sides, due to no one being around, he let the pain take over his emotions briefly. He winced in pain and even stopped for a moment and bit his lip before taking in a deep breath and moving again, eventually driving next to Sally before slowly drifting off to sleep again.

The next day, there was a lot of commotion around Flo's. The newly engaged couple assumed business was sparking up because of their recent engagement. So together, Lightning and Sally headed on over, only to realise that they were not at Flo's for drinks at all. They all had their cameras and microphones waiting for the couple to arrive.

"They're here because of us, think you can handle it Stickers?" Sally asked cautiously, knowing the amount of stress and pain he had been through recently.

Lightning took a small breath, as to calm himself. That dream was getting to him, he needed closure on that dream and fast, he didn't want what happened to Doc to happen to him, it was far too soon for him to retire. At the same time he didn't want to think about it too much, after all this paparazzi only came shortly after the announcement of their engagement so he assumed it was solely about that and nothing else.

He put on a smile and turned to Sally. "Don't worry, I'll be fine, you should know that either one of us can handle the press these days." He assured with a smirk.

They both approached Flo's, not long before Flo announced their arrival to everyone there. "Now there's the happy couple!" She shouted with a shimmering smile.

The cameras and microphones immediately turned to them; the cameras began to flash in the couple's eyes as the cars with microphones began to ask numerous questions.

"It is true you're getting married before the next season?"

"McQueen, do you plan to retire due to this recent engagement?"

"Are you going to have kids?"

"Do you plan to continue your racing career after getting married?" Another reporter asked.

Many questions blared in their faces, much like the flashing lights coming from the many clicks of cameras taking their photos. Lightning and Sally knew that many would talk about it, they at least hoped that they would have a bit more privacy than this. Unfortunately, they had to deal with it, they had been managing it for many years now, it only feel liked now things would be a bit different since they just made a huge change in their lives.

"One question at a time please." Lightning insisted with a small calm smile.

"Mr McQueen, has the crash permanently prevented you from racing ever again?" One reporter asked.

Lightning widened his eyes and paused himself for a moment as his memories flashed back to that dream he had last night, he looked down in slight worry, but then remembered he was on camera so he had to remain content with his answers.

He cleared his voice before answering confidently. "No, I'm only out for the current season. Next season I will definitely be back in the races."

"Do you consider retiring after the next season if that is the case? Doctors reported you are quite weak in our current condition, could this be a lifetime affect on your racing career?"

Sally saw Lightning was beginning to grow tense, she knew he wouldn't be able to answer anything calmly anymore, so she drove in front of Lightning to answer the questions for him. "As far as we know, it's only temporary and in no way permanent. The doctors did confirm Lightning cannot race this season, which is not to say he won't be racing the next season." She explained, her lawyer side showing slightly.

The reporters grew silent for a moment, unsure of what to say next. They were hoping to continue with their theory on Lightning McQueen retiring but no other questions came to mind. It seemed that Sally did a wonderful job at hushing those reporters and keeping them in check, almost checkmate. They were close to checkmate until they began to start splurging about their recent engagement as well as what their relationship holds for the future.

"Sally, do you intend to marry McQueen and start a family with him very soon?"

"Miss, what kind of paint job will you be wearing on the day? Will it be cream white or matte silver?"

"When is the wedding?"

The questions almost overwhelmed the two of them; Lightning was about to speak but then, the cameras began to flash horrendously. His eyes were seeing nothing but white, his hearing became faint; ringing replaced all the commotion that was going on. Lightning rolled back slightly, Sally looked to notice that the flashing lights were hurting him.

She drove in front of Lightning to prevent any further flashing in his eyes. "Please stop, you're hurting his eyes." She pleaded in a calmly matter.

"He's a race car; he's used to this sort of blinding light all the time." One of the reporters said in a professional and confident tone.

All that Lightning could see was Sally in front of him, trying to stop the others from flashing their camera lights at them. Then, another quick flash, and everything he could see became completely black.

The next thing he heard was Sally's voice, but still darkness.

I was thinking of continuing it from there, but I wanted to keep with the title of the Chapter. So, I know it's been a very long wait, but I do promise to finish this story within the next month or so. I really hate that I keep putting this off and it just makes me feel worse every time because I know how long you guys have been waiting, but I hope to really get cracking with chapters over the next coming weeks. ;)